Find out and compare grocery price in all major hypermarkets & supermarkets

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA, a.k.a. Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna - KPDNHEP) has setup a Price Watch section in their website and list out the grocery price in all major hypermarkets and supermarkets including Carrefour, Giant, Jusco, Mydin, Tesco, The Store, etc.

The price lists are made according to state. You might be surprised to find out how much different can the highest and lowest price of the same item among them, and different hypermarket under the same group might have different price for the same item in different area.

Here are the grocery price list downloadable from their website:

• Johor
• Kedah
• Kelantan
• Kuala Lumpur
• Labuan
  
• Melaka
• Negeri Sembilan
• Pahang
• Perak
• Perlis
  
• Penang
• Putrajaya
• Sabah
• Sarawak
  
• Selangor
• Terengganu

Secret code to enter Service Menus of Sony Ericsson handphone

There is a secret code to enter the Service Menus of Sony Ericsson handphone. Different information might be shown in different model number. And here is the code... (warning: use it at your own risk! Don't do it if you feel uncomfortable to try!)

Enter the following sequence in Standby Screen.

For handphone with joystick or arrow keys:
1. Press the [right] key
2. Press the [*] key
3. Press the [left] key
4. Press the [left] key again
5. Press the [*] key
6. Press the [left] key
7. Press the [*] key

For handphone with jog dial:
1. Rotate jog dial up (just rotate a bit, don't make circular rotation)
2. Press the [*] key
3. Rotate jog dial down (just rotate a bit, don't make circular rotation)
4. Rotate jog dial down again
5. Press the [*] key
6. Rotate jog dial down
7. Press the [*] key

Here is what I get on the Service Menus of Sony Ericsson P1i:
1. Service Information

• Model information
• Software information
• Hardware information
• SIM locks
• Configuration

2. Service tests

• Display
• Camera
• Touch screen
• Illumination
• LED's
• Keyboard
• Vibrator
• Speakers
• Microphone
• FM radio
• Memory Stick

3. Format internal disk

• Are you sure you want to format your internal disk? (you should answer NO or else you might get into trouble)

You might probably want to play around with the Service Tests available to your handphone. It is a handy tool to check if the respective hardware portion of your handphone is functioning or not.

Disclaimer: I shall not be liable to any losses or damages if you intend to use the secret code mentioned in this article.

Procedures for the approval for house extensions and/or renovations

The following serves as a useful FAQ that you should know as a house/building owner who plan to extend and/or renovate your house/building in Malaysia.

What is meant by building extensions / renovations?

• Any demolition work to the original building
• Any extension work to the original building (enlarging floor area)
• Any renovation work to internal building layout
• Construction of car porch, fencing wall and refuse chamber
• Any other extension / renovation as prescribed in Act 133, Road, Drainage, and Building Act 1974, and Building By-Laws 1984

Steps to be taken by home owner for submission of extensions / renovations application:

• Obtain letter of consent from neighbours should extension / renovation work involving housefront bordering neighbour's house
• Appoint an architect or a registered draughtsman for preparation of building plans
• Appoint professionals should extension / renovation work involving concrete structures
• Obtain Development Order approval from municipal council should the extension work exceed 50% of the original floor area
• Ensure the proposed extension / renovation work comply with the Building Guidelines & Standards
• Ensure construction work commence only after proposed extension / renovation application has been approved

Documents in submitting application for building extension / renovation:

• Form A
• 4 complete copies of the building plan
• 1 copy of the most recent income tax returns
• 1 copy of the Certificate of Fitness
• 1 copy of the Title Deed or the Sales & Purchase Agreement
• Consent letter from neighbouring residents (if applicable)
• 1 copy of the structure plan and structure measurement from a certified consultant engineer (if applicable, or purchase the Standard Plan from Department of Building)

Examples of standard plan available:

• Back extension
• Front awning extension
• Building of gazebos
• Concrete fence
• Air-well
• Store and fish pond

Processing fees for plan submission:

• RM500 for extensions / renovations that involve the lower level / storey
• RM1000 for extensions / renovations that involve the lower and upper level / storey

Steps to be taken by home owner after extensions / renovations approval:

• Apply for permit to place building materials on the road shoulders prior to commencement of renovation work.
• Contact Alam Flora for collection of debris of building materials before construction begins.
• Display Letter of Approval of the extension / renovation application during construction work.
• Ensure construction works is carried out within own boundary and adhere to the approved extension / renovation plan.
• Notify construction stages to municipal council by submitting the relevant forms.